We describe the optical resonant manipulation of a single magnetic impurity in a self-assembled quantum dot. We show that using the resonant pumping one can address and manipulate selectively individual spin states of a magnetic impurity. The mechanisms of resonant optical polarization of a single impurity in a quantum dot involve anisotropic exchange interactions and are different than those in diluted semiconductors. A Mn impurity can be prepared in a given spin state and can act as qubit. The limiting factors for the spin manipulation are the electron-hole exchange interaction and finite temperature.

• Received 27 September 2004

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.71.035338